Raymond A. Jonas
Emphasizes the interrelatedness of theoretical issues and historical research. Students read works that encourage the rethinking of sources and their historical meaning and experiment with sources, methods, and questions in a set of practical assignments.
The production of historical knowledge is driven by asking new questions and the revisiting of old questions with new insight. New questions also lead to the rethinking of known sources and the discovery of new ones.
Our discipline is also increasingly driven by rapid developments in the relationship between historians and their audiences.
This course asks students to read works that encourage the rethinking of sources and their possible historical meanings. It also encourages them to experiment – by means of a set of practical assignments – with sources, methods, questions, technologies, theoretical insights, and presentation strategies.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Course meetings alternate between the discussion of exemplary theoretical/practical works and the presentation of brief research assignments.
Graduate status in History graduate program or, with approval of instructor, graduate standing in the program of an allied discipline.
Class assignments and grading
Four exercises (papers, typically), each worth 25% of grade.